Young and energetic Vidwan Sikkil Gurucharan sang for a packed audience at Ganabharathi’s Veene Seshanna Bhavana on the 20th of June. This vocal recital was organised in memory of Sugunamma Dayalu and G. Mahalakshamma and was sponsored by Dr. C.G. Narasimhan and Family.

Music runs in Gurucharan’s blood — he is the grandson of Kunjumani, the elder of the renowned Sikkil Sisters, the legendary flautists.

Growing up in an environment steeped in Karnatak music, the young Gurucharan absorbed its essence naturally. His rich voice, perfect sense of shruti and laya have helped him blossom into a fine vocalist. Today, he is regarded as one of the foremost young musicians in India.

Vid. Sikkil Gurucharan was accompanied by Vidushi Adithi Krishnaprasad on the violin, Vidwan Tumkur B. Ravishankar on the mridanga and Vidwan Anoor Shyam on the kanjira. He opened the concert splendidly with the Adi Tala varnam Vanajakshi, immediately capturing the attention of the audience.

A brief sketch of Raga Abheri led into the evergreen composition ‘Bhajare Manasa’ by Mysuru Vasudevacharya, adorned with crisp and well-articulated kalpana swaras.

His music contained all the necessary ingredients for a compelling and aesthetically pleasing performance: precise shruti alignment, rhythmic clarity (laya shuddhi), appropriate gamakas, and judicious use of birkas. Most importantly, his open-throated singing and melodious voice added charm throughout.

A composition of Veene Seshanna made for a welcome addition in the next segment. This was followed by a vibrant sketch of Raga Ganamurthi, leading into ‘Sreepathe Premamuga’.

The neraval at ‘Dosharahitha Shreevara Sheshadreesha Jagadeesha’ was soaked in classical depth. Audiences were pleasantly surprised when he seamlessly transitioned into ‘Shreepathe Neepathe’ in Raga Nagaswaravali, a Tyagaraja composition. Both kritis shared a common spiritual theme — seeking refuge and solace at the lotus feet of the Lord.

A unique piece  ‘Tyagaraja yoga vaibhavam’ (Anandabhairavi-Muthuswamy Dixitar)featuring both gopuccha yati and srotovaha yati — intricate rhythmic patterns — followed, showcasing his creativity and command over compositional structure.

The centre piece of the concert was a Raga-Tana-Pallavi in majestic Raga Shankarabharana. Both Gurucharan and Adithi offered a thoroughly enjoyable rendition.

The raga alapana was marked by time-tested phrases that flowed effortlessly, delighting the rasikas. The pallavi, ‘Bharathi maamava krupaya vara raga gana’, set to Adi tala, cleverly wove in the phrase ‘Gana Bharathi’ into the sahitya.

It was a rich and satisfying performance by both artistes. Adithi has blossomed into a fine violinist. The tani avartanam by Ravishankar and Anoor Shyam was equally engaging, providing a dynamic rhythmic interlude.

The concert concluded with a Pasuram by Kulashekhara Alwar, a soulful devaranama ‘Yamanelli Kaananendu’ and a lively  Rageshree thillana composed by Vidwan Lalgudi Jayaraman, bringing down the curtain on a thoroughly enthusiastic and memorable evening.

—Dr. Rama V. Bennur